💰 Low-Cost Chongqing Travel Guide | Enjoy the Mountain City Without Breaking the Bank! 🏙️🔥
Chongqing is perfect not only for luxury travel but also for budget & low-cost trips! You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy local delicacies, visit popular attractions, and experience the magical 8D mountain city! With this guide, you can explore Chongqing with a budget of 500-1000 RMB (≈ RM325-650) per person! 💸💡
📅 Best Time for Budget Travel
🟢 Off-Peak Season (March-May & September-November): Pleasant weather, cheaper flights & accommodations
🟡 Avoid Holidays (Labor Day, National Day, Chinese New Year): Fewer tourists at popular spots, accommodations 30% cheaper
🔴 Summer (June-August) is not recommended: Hot weather + surge in tourists, leading to higher costs
💡 Budget Tips:
✅ Book discounted flights/train tickets 1-2 months in advance to save 30%-50%
✅ Choose hostels or budget hotels near subway stations to avoid expensive hotels in popular areas
🚆 Low-Cost Transportation Tips
🚄 How to Get to Chongqing on a Budget?
✈️ Flight Tips
- Kuala Lumpur ✈ Chongqing direct flight prices typically range from RM400-800 (on sale as low as RM300+)
- Follow AirAsia, Spring Airlines, and other budget airlines for RM200-300 discounted tickets
🚄 High-Speed Train / Regular Train
- Chengdu – Chongqing 🚅 High-speed train costs only 56 RMB (≈RM36) (1 hour), regular train 30 RMB (≈RM20)
- Guiyang – Chongqing 🚅 High-speed train under 100 RMB (≈RM65), regular train 50 RMB (≈RM33)
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
✅ Chongqing Metro 1-Day Pass (18 RMB ≈ RM12) is ideal for tourists visiting many attractions in one day
✅ Use Alipay / WeChat to pay for subway rides and save time
🏨 Budget Accommodation Recommendations (50-200 RMB/night ≈ RM32-130)
🏡 Affordable and Comfortable Areas to Stay:
📍 Jiefangbei Shopping Area (Great for shopping & food)
📍 Ciqikou & Shapingba (Experience old Chongqing style)
📍 Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street (Trendy area popular with young people)
🎒 Recommended Accommodations (50-200 RMB/night ≈ RM32-130)
🏠 Hostels (Dorm beds 30-80 RMB ≈ RM20-50)
✅ Chongqing Light International Youth Hostel (near Jiefangbei)
✅ Ciqikou Alley Youth Hostel (with an ancient town vibe)
🏨 Budget Hotels (150-200 RMB ≈ RM100-130)
✅ 7 Days, Hanting, Home Inn (clean and affordable chain hotels)
✅ Stay near subway stations for easy transportation
🎡 Low-Cost Must-Visit Attractions in Chongqing (Most Are Free!)
🌆 Popular Attractions (Free/Low-Cost)
✅ Hongya Cave Night View (Free) — A must-visit in Chongqing, even more beautiful when the lights turn on after 6 pm!
✅ Liziba Light Rail Passing Through Building (Free) — Watch the light rail pass through a building at the Liziba station on Line 2!
✅ Yangtze Cableway (One-way 20 RMB ≈ RM13) — Budget tip: Ride in the daytime to enjoy the view of both banks of the river, no need to buy a round trip ticket
✅ Crown Escalator (2 RMB ≈ RM1.30) — The longest escalator in China, feel the thrill of “vertical climbing”
🏞️ Natural Scenery (Low-Cost Experiences)
✅ Ciqikou Ancient Town (Free) — Wander through old streets, taste local snacks (Cheng Ma Hua, Mao Xue Wang)
✅ Nanshan Yike Tree Viewing Platform (Ticket 30 RMB ≈ RM20, free to hike) — One of the most beautiful night views of Chongqing
✅ Gele Mountain Forest Park (Free) — Great for hiking, fresh air
🏛️ Culture & History
✅ People’s Hall & Three Gorges Museum (Free) — Learn about Chongqing’s history and culture
✅ Baigongguan & Zhazidong (Free) — Red culture sites, a must for history buffs
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
✔ Avoid weekends & holidays to skip the crowds at Hongya Cave and other popular spots
✔ Walk + take the subway as many attractions in Chongqing are within walking distance
🍜 Budget Food Recommendations (Per Person 10-50 RMB ≈ RM7-32)
🔥 1. Chongqing Noodles (6-15 RMB ≈ RM4-10)
📍 Zeng San Xian Noodles (Jiefangbei) – Three-flavor beef noodles for 15 RMB ≈ RM10
📍 Huashi Wanzi Noodles – 10 RMB ≈ RM7, a popular breakfast for locals
🌶 2. Sour Spicy Noodles (8-20 RMB ≈ RM5-13)
📍 Dongting Zhang Liang Fen – Sour and spicy, 15 RMB ≈ RM10
🍢 3. Specialty Snacks (10-30 RMB ≈ RM7-20)
✅ Cheng Ma Hua – 10 RMB ≈ RM7 per bag, best found in Ciqikou
✅ Grilled Brain – 25 RMB ≈ RM16, a must-try street food in Chongqing
🔥 4. Cheap Hotpot (30-60 RMB ≈ RM20-40 per person)
📍 Liu Yishou Hotpot (lunch discounts) – Approximately 50 RMB ≈ RM32 per person
📍 Dongzi Old Hotpot (popular) – 40 RMB ≈ RM26, authentic Chongqing taste
🍢 5. Night BBQ (20-40 RMB ≈ RM13-26 per person)
📍 Nanan Old Street BBQ – 10 RMB for 3 skewers, try the signature grilled fish!
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
✔ Choose local restaurants to avoid overpriced popular spots
✔ Share hotpot meals — it’s cheaper and more fun with a group
🎯 Low-Cost Chongqing Travel Budget (500-1000 RMB ≈ RM325-650 per person)
| Expense Type | Low-Cost Budget (RMB) | Approx. RM Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation (Flights + Subway + Train) | 200-500 | RM130-325 |
| Accommodation (Hostels/Budget Hotels) | 50-200/night | RM32-130 |
| Attraction Fees (Most Free) | 0-50 | RM0-32 |
| Food (Street Food + Cheap Hotpot) | 30-60/day | RM20-40 |
| Souvenirs & Shopping | 50-100 | RM32-65 |
| Total Budget (3-5 Days) | 500-1000 RMB | RM325-650 |
🎉 Conclusion: Chongqing, Enjoy Without Breaking the Bank!
✅ Popular attractions are free or super cheap 💰
✅ Chongqing food is affordable and delicious 🍜
✅ Lots of affordable accommodation options 🏨
✅ Cheap transport by subway + walking 🚇
📢 Which attraction in Chongqing are you most excited to visit? Leave a comment and let’s discuss! 🚀🔥
